DIY: How to Change Your Push Mower's Oil - Sears

DIY: How to Change Your Push Mower's Oil

During the spring and summer months, it's essential to keep your lawn mower running smoothly. Just like a car, changing the mower's oil regularly is a must. Depending on your manufacturer's recommendations, this should be done once a year or for every 25 hours of use. An oil change is a simple, straightforward process that anyone can handle. Here are some easy steps to help your push mower run smoothly throughout the season and minimize damage to your engine.

Start your lawn mower, and let it run for about two to three minutes. This heats the oil, making it easier to drain and remove small particles that might settle in the engine. Turn off the lawn mower and let it cool down for about five to 10 minutes. Once it's cooled for a bit, disconnect the spark plug to prevent the engine from starting up while you're working. Then, remove the dipstick.

Step 2: Find Your Oil Plug or Oil Fill Tube

Locate the oil plug or oil fill tube, depending on the model. If you have an oil plug, prop up your mower and place a drain pan underneath it. Otherwise, place a drain pan beside your mower so you can tilt your mower over to drain it.

Step 3: Drain the Old Oil

Tilt your mower in the opposite direction of the air filter and allow the oil to drain into a container. The oil should be disposed of properly at a hazardous disposal site or with an oil recycler. Afterward, tighten the drain plug socket or tilt the mower back upright.

Step 4: Change the Oil Filter

Place the other drain pain underneath your oil filter to catch any leaking oil and then detach the oil filter. Take a new filter, coat its seal and gasket with fresh oil and then install it in your mower. This step should be done each time the oil is changed.

Step 5: Fill Your Mower with Oil

Refill the oil according to the amount specified in the owner's manual. Use a funnel in the oil fill tube to avoid spills. When finished, wait a few minutes to allow the lawn mower oil to settle and then wipe your dipstick clean, replace it and pull it out again to verify that the oil container is full. If you need to add more oil, repeat these steps to check the level. Be careful not to overfill because excess oil can cause damage to the engine. Replace the cap.

Step 6: Reconnect the Spark Plug

Reinstall the spark plug, and do any necessary cleanup. Verify that the spark plug has been properly connected by starting the engine. If everything's running and sounding right, you're ready for another season of mowing.